Late
in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were on
their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples
had had no prominent place in Christ's work, but they were earnest believers in
Him. They had come to the city to keep the Passover, and were greatly perplexed
by the events that had recently taken place. They had heard the news of the
morning in regard to the removal of Christ's body from the tomb, and also the
report of the women who had seen the angels and had met Jesus. They were now
returning to their homes to meditate and pray. Sadly they pursued their evening
walk, talking over the scenes of the trial and the crucifixion. Never before
had they been so utterly disheartened. Hopeless and faithless, they were
walking in the shadow of the cross.
They
had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined by a stranger, but
they were so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not
observe him closely. They continued their conversation, expressing the thoughts
of their hearts. They were reasoning in regard to the lessons that Christ had
given, which they seemed unable to comprehend. As they talked of the events
that had taken place, Jesus longed to comfort them. He had seen their grief; He
understood the conflicting, perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the
thought,
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Can
this Man, who suffered Himself to be so humiliated, be the Christ? Their grief
could not be restrained, and they wept. Jesus knew that their hearts were bound
up with Him in love, and He longed to wipe away their tears, and fill them with
joy and gladness. But He must first give them lessons they would never forget.
"He
said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to
another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas,
answering said unto Him, Art Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not
known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" They told
Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master, "which was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;" but "the
chief priests and our rulers," they said, "delivered Him to be
condemned to death, and have crucified Him." With hearts sore with
disappointment, and with quivering lips, they added, "We trusted that it
had been He which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is
the third day since these things were done."
Strange
that the disciples did not remember Christ's words, and realize that He had
foretold the events which had come to pass! They did not realize that the last
part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part,
that the third day He would rise again. This was the part they should have
remembered. The priests and rulers did not forget this. On the day "that
followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came
together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while
He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again." Matt. 27:62, 63.
But the disciples did not remember these words.
"Then
He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets
have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into
His glory?" The disciples wondered who this stranger could be, that He
should penetrate to their very souls, and speak with such earnestness, tenderness,
and sympathy, and with such hopefulness. For the first time since Christ's
betrayal, they began to feel hopeful. Often they looked earnestly at their
companion, and thought that His words were just the words that Christ would
have spoken. They were filled with amazement, and their hearts began to throb
with joyful expectation.
Beginning
at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the
Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had He
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first
made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the
fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was
necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and
prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established.
Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to
explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of
all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very
strongest evidence for their faith.
In
teaching these disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a
witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now discard the Old
Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's
teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, "If they
hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one
rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.
It
is the voice of Christ that speaks through patriarchs and prophets, from the
days of Adam even to the closing scenes of time. The Saviour is revealed in the
Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past
that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with
clearness and beauty. The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity; but a
stronger proof that He is the world's Redeemer is found in comparing the
prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New.
Reasoning
from prophecy, Christ gave His disciples a correct idea of what He was to be in
humanity. Their expectation of a Messiah who was to take His throne and kingly
power in accordance with the desires of men had been misleading. It would
interfere with a correct apprehension of His descent from the highest to the
lowest position that could be occupied. Christ desired that the ideas of His
disciples might be pure and true in every specification. They must understand
as far as possible in regard to the cup of suffering that had been apportioned
to Him. He showed them that the awful conflict which they could not yet
comprehend was the fulfillment of the covenant made before the foundation of
the world was laid. Christ must die, as every transgressor of the law must die
if he continues in sin. All this was to be, but it was not to end in defeat,
but in glorious, eternal victory. Jesus told them that every effort must be
made to save the world from sin. His followers must live as He lived, and work
as He worked, with intense, persevering effort.
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Thus
Christ discoursed to His disciples, opening their minds that they might
understand the Scriptures. The disciples were weary, but the conversation did
not flag. Words of life and assurance fell from the Saviour's lips. But still
their eyes were holden. As He told them of the overthrow of Jerusalem, they
looked upon the doomed city with weeping. But little did they yet suspect who
their traveling companion was. They did not think that the subject of their
conversation was walking by their side; for Christ referred to Himself as
though He were another person. They thought that He was one of those who had
been in attendance at the great feast, and who was now returning to his home.
He walked as carefully as they over the rough stones, now and then halting with
them for a little rest. Thus they proceeded along the mountainous road, while
the One who was soon to take His position at God's right hand, and who could
say, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth," walked
beside them. Matt. 28:18.
During
the journey the sun had gone down, and before the travelers reached their place
of rest, the laborers in the fields had left their work. As the disciples were
about to enter their home, the stranger appeared as though He would continue
His journey. But the disciples felt drawn to Him. Their souls hungered to hear
more from Him. "Abide with us," they said. He did not seem to accept
the invitation, but they pressed it upon Him, urging, "It is toward
evening, and the day is far spent." Christ yielded to this entreaty and
"went in to tarry with them."
Had
the disciples failed to press their invitation, they would not have known that
their traveling companion was the risen Lord. Christ never forces His company
upon anyone. He interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter
the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if men are too indifferent
to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide with them, He passes on.
Thus many meet with great loss. They do not know Christ any more than did the disciples
as He walked with them by the way.
The
simple evening meal of bread is soon prepared. It is placed before the guest,
who has taken His seat at the head of the table. Now He puts forth His hands to
bless the food. The disciples start back in astonishment. Their companion
spreads forth His hands in exactly the same way as their Master used to do.
They look again, and lo, they see in His hands the print of nails. Both exclaim
at once, It is the Lord Jesus! He has risen from the dead!
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They
rise to cast themselves at His feet and worship Him, but He has vanished out of
their sight. They look at the place which had been occupied by One whose body
had lately lain in the grave, and say to each other, "Did not our heart
burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us
the Scriptures?"
But
with this great news to communicate they cannot sit and talk. Their weariness
and hunger are gone. They leave their meal untasted, and full of joy
immediately set out again on the same path by which they came, hurrying to tell
the tidings to the disciples in the city. In some parts the road is not safe,
but they climb over the steep places, slipping on the smooth rocks. They do not
see, they do not know, that they have the protection of Him who has traveled
the road with them. With their pilgrim staff in hand, they press on, desiring
to go faster than they dare. They lose their track, but find it again.
Sometimes running, sometimes stumbling, they press forward, their unseen
Companion close beside them all the way.
The
night is dark, but the Sun of Righteousness is shining upon them. Their hearts
leap for joy. They seem to be in a new world. Christ is a living Saviour. They
no longer mourn over Him as dead. Christ is risen--over and over again they
repeat it. This is the message they are carrying to the sorrowing ones. They
must tell them the wonderful story of the walk to Emmaus. They must tell who
joined them by the way. They carry the greatest message ever given to the
world, a message of glad tidings upon which the hopes of the human family for
time and for eternity depend.
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